THE bravery medals and photographic archive of the Queen's former helicopter pilot who died in tragic circumstances has been unearthed.

Squadron Leader Jack Liversidge served with the prestigious Queen's Flight in the 1950s and '60s but he was later killed in a helicopter crash.

The former draughtsman at a South Yorkshire steel works enjoyed a meteoric rise in the RAF to become a popular figure among the Royals.

He received invites from the Queen to visit Buckingham Palace and various gifts throughout his service.

His medal group, which has now emerged for sale, includes a Distinguished Flying Cross earned in 1958 for carrying out a challenging rescue with the Queen's Flight, 194 Squadron, in the Malaya Emergency.

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As a pilot with the Queen's Flight he would have had regular contact with the Royal Family and this is shown by how close he was to them.

Oliver Miller

The fascinating archive features a framed photograph of the Queen Mother leaving the helicopter with Sq Ldr Liversidge in sunglasses seated in the cockpit watching on.

A signed photograph of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip from 1968 and a silver monogrammed cigarette case gifted by the Royal Family are also included.

It also features a typed letter Lord Mountbatten sent Sq Ldr Liversidge thanking him for 'pleasant flights' in 1963.

In the letter, dated July 26, 1963, he wrote: "I am writing to thank you very much for flying me to Henlow and on to Stansted Park yesterday.

BISHOP&MILLER/BNPS

From left to right - Distinguished Flying Cross medal, Air Force Cross & three other service medals

"They were both very pleasant flights and we were lucky to have such good weather." The collection, which has been consigned for auction by his step-daughter, is tipped to sell for £7,000.

Sq Ldr Liversidge went to Rotherham Technical College and was a draughtsman at Baker & Bessemer's Kilnhurst steel works before he joined the RAF in WW2.

After the war, he rejoined the steelworks for four years before his second stint with the RAF during which he served with the Queen's Flight.

Tragically, Sq Ldr Liversidge perished when the main rotor-shaft of his Whirlwind XR487 snapped while en route to RAF Yeovilton and the helicopter crashed at Brightwalton, Berkshire, killing all four people on board.

Oliver Miller, auctioneer at Bishop & Miller Auctioneers, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, said: "The archive, which is being sold by Sq Ldr Liversidge's step-daughter, stands out for several reasons.

"As a pilot with the Queen's Flight he would have had regular contact with the Royal Family and this is shown by how close he was to them.

"He was invited to Buckingham Palace and there are interesting photos of him in the cockpit with the Queen Mother leaving the helicopter.

"Also, there is an element of tragedy to his story as he was killed in a helicopter crash." His medal group consists of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Defence medal, War medal and General Service medal.